Does anyone have experience w/ the “TripleWing” router bits from MLCS (and I assume others make them as well). The price doesn’t seem to be that much more than the two-flute counterparts. MLCS claims that they give a “smoother, cleaner cut.”

How about it? Two-flute or three-flute? MLCS or another supplier?

-- Jim in Tennessee

7 replies so far

Jim,I have not used the CMT triple wing bits but, I have three new Freud Quadra cut bits, of different profiles.I am more than satisfied with their results.With that said, I would say you would have to compare a profile cut by a new 2 fluted bit to the same profile of that of a new Quadra cut bit. Chances are a microscopic examination would be required.IMO the more shearing surfaces passing over the wood should give you a cleaner finished product, -or- allow an increased feed rate, and less waste being removed by each shearing edge the carbide edge should stay sharper longer, if in fact the carbide is of equal thickness and quality on each of the two styles of bits.

For what it’s worth, I have not read an unbiased controlled test of either brand. I have only read the promotional hype printed in the Company’s advertising and promotional material.

CMT is a respected Mfg. of quality bits, no reason to think their new product would be any less.

Best Regards. – Grandpa Len.Work Safely and have Fun.

-- Mother Nature should be proud of what you've done with her tree. - Len ...just north of a stone's throw from the oHIo, river that is, in So. Indiana.

Whether with a router bit or a saw blade, when all other parameters are equal, more cutters should equate to a cleaner cut. Along with a cleaner cut comes higher resistance and more chance of burning. The number of cutters is only one of several parameters that effect the cut…it just happens to be the easiest one to spot.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

If you have a variable speed router and can reduce speed, then the 3-wing bit will indeed stay sharper longer (speed kills). Actually it’s heat that dulls edges. Faster feed rates don’t mean much since handheld operations need to be carefully done anyway. So reduce rpm but maintain normal feed rates. If you don’t have variable speed then you need to increase feed rates to avoid burning (this doesn’t sound good to me).

I run large custom router bits on stationary, power-fed machines and switched to 3 wing cutters years ago. They run at half speed.